Nano cory

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep nano cories in a group of eight or more over smooth, fine sand in soft, acidic water around 22 to 26 C. They suit a small, calm tank with tiny tankmates and gentle filtration. Feed small sinking foods such as micro pellets, crushed flake and frozen cyclops.

In the wild

The nano cory lives in small, soft, slightly acidic streams of the central Amazon. It forages over fine sand and leaf litter in slow, shaded water. Being tiny, it stays close to cover in groups.

Good to know

This is one of the smallest cories, reaching only around 3.5 cm. A single arched dark stripe runs along the upper flank, and unlike some lookalikes it does not pass through the eye. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Gastrodermus as Gastrodermus gracilis.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Pygmy cory

  Gastrodermus pygmaeus

  1.3 in (3.3 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)

  1.3 in (3.3 cm)13 gal (50 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Dwarf cory

  Gastrodermus hastatus

  1.3 in (3.2 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)

  1.3 in (3.2 cm)12 gal (45 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)

• 

  Nain dwarf cory

  Gastrodermus nanus

  1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Nijssen's cory

  Gastrodermus nijsseni

  1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Guapore cory

  Gastrodermus guapore

  2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Napo cory

  Gastrodermus napoensis

  2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)